Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.54.23
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesBoasting Without Knowing the Lord’s Power
“Boasting thus, foolish Rukmī, ignorant of the true extent of the Supreme Lord’s power, approached Lord Govinda in his lone chariot and challenged Him, “Just stand and fight!””
What the purport teaches
- Rukmī boasted because he did not know the true extent of the Supreme Lord’s power. His challenge arose from ignorance, not true understanding.
- Although Rukmī had set out with an entire military division, he personally rushed toward Lord Kṛṣṇa.
- He approached Lord Govinda in a lone chariot and demanded that He stand and fight. The verse calls this challenger foolish.
Try this today
Before one task today, pause and acknowledge Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead rather than dwelling on your own ability.
Ask yourself
Where might confidence in my own strength keep me from recognizing the Supreme Lord’s power?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.